News Releases

REF NO.: 61

SUBJECT:

School of Social Work professor to give presentation on child protection issues in light of the Turner Report

DATE:

Nov. 10, 2006

Members of the public are invited to the first in a series of public presentations concerning child protection. The first presentation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006. The first presenter is Dr. Ken Barter who will give a presentation titled Enough Is Enough: A Time for Truths about Child Protection: A Response to the Turner Review. Dr. Barter's presentation will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Health Sciences Centre Auditorium. Parking is available at no charge in lot 9.

This presentation brings forward relevant and critical concerns about child protection and social work that are grounded in the literature and research. “Given these concerns are not acknowledged in the Turner Report it is important to bring them forward for clarification and information”, Dr. Barter explained. "The presentation sounds the call for action in bringing about change that will facilitate and support the important role that social workers play as the predominant profession in child protection work," he said. "I will provide evidence as to why it is time for this change to take place. The presentation also contextualizes the known realities of child protection work, realities that are often skirted when changes are introduced”.

Dr. Barter is a professor with the School of Social Work, Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has worked for 30 years in public child welfare systems in Newfoundland, Northwest Territories and Prince Edward Island, working in front line, supervision, management, and social policy positions, before entering academia in 1995.

The presentation will be webcast for those who are unable to attend. Visit www.mun.ca/socwrkfor details.

- 30 -

For further information contact Ivan Muzychka, manager, communications, Division of Marketing and Communications, Memorial University at 709 737-8665, or ivanm@mun.ca.